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Loading Dies
Posted by Murphy on May 02 2006
NE,
Neck sizing dies just size the neck and push the shoulder back to minimum chamber specs. The neck must always be sized down to hold the bullet. When pushing the shoulder back it creates a space (headspace) in the chamber and the shoulder no longer fits your chamber perfectly but will fit any other SAAMI spec chamber. The body of the case is not sized at all in a neck size die. In a full length sizing die, the neck and body are sized down and the shoulder is pushed back to minimum chamber specs. It is true you are working the brass more with full length sizing. When using full length or neck sizing dies, you can adjust the amount of shoulder push by unscrewing the die a small amount from contact with the shell holder. In a f/l die there will still be some sizing of the body but not all the way to the base. This is the way most folks use the f/l sizing die, backed off some to avoid pushing the shoulder back and to size the case body less. (less working of the brass)
A major advantage of handloading your own ammo is that you can keep the brass fitting your chamber after firing by just neck sizing. This is the best thing you can do to enhance the accuracy of the loads for your particular rifle. After a few firings you may need to size the body some, but don't set the shoulder back anymore than needed to fit your chamber. This snug fit is what aligns the case with the bore and keeps accuracy up. I use a neck sizing die only for my rifles when loading even hunting loads, then on occasion when needed I size the body. I use what is called a body die, which sizes only the body and shoulder, not the neck, but gives me better control over the shoulder position.
I use Redding dies, mostly. I use some RCBS and Bonanza/Forester dies but I own about 70 sets (calibers) of Redding dies. Some of my sets are neck, body and micro seater dies. No f/l die in the box. I have loaded over one million rounds of ammuntion in over 100 calibers. There are other good dies out there, I haven't rejected any of them, but I do know Redding dies are high quality. If you want to start out with the right stuff, get a good single stage press and a three die set, f/l and neck sizing dies and seater die and a shell holder by the same company. (that's important) Get two good loading manuals and read them. Good shootin'.
Murphy
Previous: Great Info ... Thanks NE to AK May 04 2006
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